Brad Pitt once sought to star as legendary musician Jeff Buckley in a biopic, but the idea was quickly shot down by Buckley’s mother, Mary Guibert. Pitt reached out to Guibert after inviting her to his 2000 wedding to Jennifer Aniston, seeking permission to pursue the project. While she appreciated the offer, she was skeptical of the concept.
Guibert recalled asking Pitt, “We’re going to dye your hair, put brown contact lenses on those baby blues, and you’re going to open your mouth and Jeff’s voice is going to come out?” The conversation ultimately led to Guibert deciding against a biopic, opting instead to create a documentary to honor her late son, known for his iconic cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and his 1994 album Grace.
Despite the change in direction, Pitt remained supportive, helping preserve Buckley’s personal belongings and contributing as a producer on the documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley. Directed by Amy Berg, the film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, explores Buckley’s life and legacy, shedding light on his untimely death and debunking myths about his passing.
Berg explained that after immersing herself in Buckley’s voicemails, demos, and journals, she felt the documentary approach was the only way to truly capture his essence. “I just couldn’t imagine it being anything but a documentary,” she said. The film highlights how Buckley’s music continues to resonate, with his influence growing on platforms like TikTok.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley offers a tribute to an artist whose impact endures beyond his brief life.